mbiguously.

"I don't see how it would be cruel, if he meant it--if he wanted to!"

"That's because you are an angel and don't know anything about this sad
old world of ours. Life isn't like the story-books, Phil. In a novel a
nice dear daughter like you might reconcile her parents with tears and
flowers and that sort of thing; but in real life it's very different as
you will see when you think of it; only I don't want you to think of it
at all. I believe you like me; we hit it off quite wonderfully; and I
should expect you to hate me if I ever dreamed of anything so
contemptible as spoiling a man's life twice."

And remembering Nan, Phil could not argue the matter. She was unable to
visualize her father on his knees to her mother. No flimsy net of
sentiment flung across the chasm could bring them within hailing
distance of each other; they were utterly irreconcilable characters. It
was incredible that they had ever pledged themselves to love and cherish
each other forever.

"Phil, what did your father say about my coming back?" asked Lois
abruptly.

Phil hesitated. Her mother looked at her keenly in that instant of
delay, and then laid her hand gently upon Phil's lips.

"No; don't answer that! It isn't a fair question. And now let us forget
all these things forever and ever!"

She proposed a walk before dinner. "I'll get into my boots and be ready
in a minute."

Phil heard her whistling as she moved about her room.

CHAPTER XX

BACK TO STOP SEVEN

Charles Holton met his brother Fred in the lobby of the Morton House on
an afternoon near the end of January. Charles was presenting a buoyant
exterior to the world despite a renewal of the disquieting rumors of the
fall as to Sycamore Traction and equally disagreeable hints in inner
financial and legal circles as to the reopening of Samuel Holton's
estate. He resented Fred's meddling in the matter; he was the head of
the family and a man of affairs, and he was not pleasantly impressed by
the fact that on two occasions to his knowledge Fred had visited
Kirkwood at his Indianapolis office.

"I want to see you," said Charles. "Why don't you come to see me when
you're in the city and save me the trouble of chasing over here?"

"Well, Charlie, you've found me now. What is it you want?"

"Come up to my room. I don't care to have all Montgomery hear us."

When the door closed on them, Charles threw off his overcoat and
confronted his brother with a dark c